First Impressions
Dartmouth English Gin astonished the gin world in 2018 by winning 'Classic Gin of the Year' within weeks of its launch — an unprecedented achievement for a new distillery. The Dartmouth Distillery Company in Devon uses a specially designed and hand-built still created by the Müller family from the Black Forest in Germany, and the 17-botanical bill creates a gin that is simultaneously classic and contemporary.
The Distillery
The Dartmouth Distillery Co. produces this gin in Devon using 17 botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica, liquorice, cardamom, cassia bark, cubeb pepper, grains of paradise, lavender, orris root, rose petals, kaffir lime leaf, rosemary, sweet orange, lemon, grapefruit, and Scots pine needles. The kaffir lime leaf and Scots pine are the most distinctive additions to what is otherwise a classically structured bill.
Tasting
The nose sees kaffir lime leaf shining bright — a citrus note quite different from lemon or orange — while juniper and coriander elevate pine notes.
On the palate, bold juniper provides the foundation alongside floral notes from rosemary, lavender, and citrus fruits. Lemon peel emerges among warm spice from grains of paradise, cardamom, and cubeb berries. The 17-botanical complexity creates layers that unfold over several seconds.
The finish brings lively spice — grains of paradise, cardamom, and cubeb berries providing warmth — followed by lasting liquorice sweetness.
How to Drink It
In a G&T with Indian tonic and a kaffir lime leaf garnish — connecting directly with the most distinctive botanical. The Devon provenance also suits a serve with locally foraged garnishes.
The Bottom Line
Dartmouth English Gin earns an 8 for winning Classic Gin of the Year within weeks of launch — an achievement that speaks to extraordinary quality from day one. The 17-botanical bill, the hand-built German still, and the kaffir lime leaf distinction create a gin of genuine character. At around £38, the immediate competition success and the Devon craftsmanship justify the price. A gin that arrived fully formed and immediately award-winning.
